Fanuza Kadirova prepared for the PWHL by training hard and studying tape. Beyond adjusting to the league’s pace and physicality, she’s learning a new language and settling into a new city, making steady progress both on and off the ice.
Adjusting to professional hockey rarely comes easy, especially when players face a faster, more physical game while adapting to a new environment. But Ottawa Charge forward Fanuza Kadirova prepared for that challenge long before her first shift at TD Place.
She watched last year's playoffs closely and used what she saw to shape her training, ensuring she put herself in the best position from the start of her professional career.
"In the summer, she would train with the boys because that's a closer level to PWHL," Kadirova told The Hockey News through teammate Vita Poniatovskaia. "She was working with her strength and conditioning coach, and they were watching video. They were focusing on quicker decision-making, both on and off the ice, because the league is super fast. She needed to really dial in on that."
For Kadirova, the jump to the PWHL meant more than training for physicality and speed. She also faced the challenge of learning a new language and settling into a new city.
“Watching tape helps a lot. They draw on the boards and the computers as well,” she said. “One thing I'm not entirely happy about is not being able to hold the conversation. I like that part, and it's unfortunate that I can't, but I’m improving.”
That same learning mindset shows up in how she’s settling into the game, though it hasn’t always been easy.
“It was a bit tough, and sometimes I felt kind of tense at first,” she said. “But with each game, I started feeling more comfortable playing with the girls and keeping up with the speed. There’s still stuff to work on, but overall, I’m doing a lot better and adjusting well.”
When it comes to that growth on the ice, head coach Carla MacLeod credits Kadirova’s hockey sense and competitive drive as key to her smooth transition.
“She loves the physicality, she likes the speed,” MacLeod said. “She’s got that nose for the net. She takes pucks to the net, she’s excited to try to score goals, and she’s blocking shots. She’s a very well-rounded player, and she’s got good hockey sense, too.”
When asked if she feels a connection to the fans when she takes the ice, Kadirova didn’t hesitate.
“From the first couple of days here, I really loved the team, the girls, the city itself, too,” she said. “I’ve really enjoyed my time here. I enjoy every game very much, especially home games. It motivates and energizes me very much. It’s really cool. It’s incredible.”